How To Build Your Adaptability Muscle for Career Longevity
Lessons from CEO's and startups on being open to new ways.
Adaptability.
I describe this as the ability to navigate new landscapes and deal with ambiguity.
Which, in my opinion, is basically the ride of life.
The capability to adapt to new environments, new times or when presented with new data is key.
Classic examples of this include when Spotify disrupted the music industry with streaming, and when Apple released the iPhone, introducing the first smartphone and apps into our lives.
Recognising and understanding the need to adapt to a changing world is essential.
CEO of Vayner X, Gary Vee is a classic example of this.
Gary inherited a brick-and-mortar wine business from his father. It was a small-scale operation with a few local stores.
This was in 1998 and Gary soon realised that the times were changing. He stumbled across an emerging, and little-known at the time video-sharing platform called YouTube.
Gary felt this new piece of technology could help scale his business.
“I was completely convinced that online video was going to be a big thing. I knew it was a medium that was going to matter”
The old guard at the time didn’t see the changes in the world through the power of the internet and more new digital technologies. Or, perhaps, they didn’t want to face them.
Gary was told countless times that he was ‘crazy’ and going to ‘destroy his father’s business.
Instead, that little old Wine Library TV show Gary shared on YouTube blew up.
It blew up so much that Gary pivoted his career into the world of social marketing and broader entrepreneurship.
YouTube is now a daily must-use app and Gary sits atop multiple successful companies.
And why so? Simple, he built the capability to adapt to the world around him, not try to make the world adapt to him.
You’ll never win with the latter.
5 ways to embrace adaptability in your career
Roll with the punches: When things change, don't freak out. Embrace the new situation and look at it as a chance to grow and learn.
Be a go-getter: Don't wait around for your boss to tell you what to do. Take charge and show that you can do it.
Believe in yourself: You got this! Don't be afraid to try new things and take on challenges. Think of them as opportunities to improve and level up.
Network like a boss: Make connections and build relationships with people in your industry. This can give you an edge in your career.
Keep on truckin’: Don't let setbacks get you down. Keep pushing through and remember that every failure is a chance to learn and grow.
Ok, I’m outta tea (again!) - now go forth and adapt the s@!t out of your career.
(P.S. Connect with me on LinkedIn for daily thoughts and leave your own thoughts in the comments below 👇)